Is a gallon of deet not strong enough? Does lighting citronella candles and greasing up with Skin So Soft just get our mosquitoes in the mood? Well, if we use the solution pictured then haven’t we let the mosquitoes win?
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quality of life
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I’ve always enjoyed reading Angela Valdez over at the Washington CityPaper. On Friday she recounts a walk home from a bar to her house in Petworth. Read the post here.
She wrote “We walked north on Sherman till we got to her place and then I decided to shortcut on Georgia to get myself home. I quickly realized I should have turned back to Sherman.”
This is something I’ve always tried to figure out but I’ve never gotten much feedback: what are the “rules” for walking home in the evening? Is there a cut off for when it wouldn’t be advisable to walk home? Is it ok to walk home late at night if you are not alone? Should Georgia Ave be avoided? I have written about this before and I’ve said everyone has their own comfort levels but surely there are general rules to be followed. I walked home last night at around midnight and I felt perfectly safe but I was not on Georgia Avenue. What walking home guidelines do you follow?
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I’m not exactly sure what that means but we now have our very own preachers outside the metro! The blog Frozen Tropics has discussed this issue in the H Street area.
All I know is I kept hearing Jesus this and Jesus that and then something about Jesus and Puerto Rico before I started to feel a little bit uncomfortable. Also the fact that they were standing on some sort of box when screaming about Jesus was less than pleasant. Now, I’m all for Jesus but this seemed to be a bit excessive. This was about 8pm outside the metro. Has anyone seen this before?
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So I walked out of Taco Bell and came upon a lively game of street chess on 14th Street. And let me tell you – eating two meximelts while watching a lively game of street chess rivals a live Nats game any day of the week except Sunday of course.
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Yesterday was one of those beautiful Petworth days in all respects. The weather was beautiful and I decided to walk down to U Street to meet some friends for dinner. So as I’m walking down New Hampshire I notice a big spray of water coming from the alley. To satisfy my curiosity I had to check it out. I venture into the alley and I see an older gentleman probably in 60s watering his garden. My eyes go wide as I see all of the tomatoes he has successful grown. He is very skeptical when I approach him. He looked at me like I was crazy as I was ogling his garden. I asked him if I could take a picture of his garden. He replied “I don’t care, take a picture of whatever you want”, in not the most friendly tone. I was a little taken back. I quickly told him how amazing I thought his garden looked. At this point his eyes lit up for just a second and you could see him swell with pride. I then told him my woes about growing only two tomatoes and how they both got eaten by an animal. Without hesitating he walked over and plucked a handful of gorgeous red tomatoes and insisted that I take them. He told me he lived on the block for 35 years and has always had a garden. I was grateful for his generosity. I had so many more questions I wanted to ask him but he walked back to continue watering his garden. Well, I hope to catch him again to learn more about his gardening technique and to learn more about his experiences living in Petworth for the past 35 years. And yes, the tomatoes were delicious!
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I was given a handful of tomatoes by a complete stranger. (See above post)
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I suggest you take these rules with a grain of salt. But here they are in full courtesy of the Washington Post. It makes you wonder what crack team of detectives are monitoring the fireworks for sale on every other corner that are completely out in the open.
“Sparklers measuring 20 inches or less, torches, box fire, fountains, cones, dip sticks, non-poisonous snakes, paper novelty items, colored lights and paper caps are allowed. Any fireworks that move, explode, emit a flame greater than 12 inches, have a side-mounted fuse or fuse inserted along the product’s surface, or contain highly oxidizing agents such as mercury or arsenic that the fire marshal considers to be dangerous to the safety of any person or property are not permitted.”
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As I was walking home this evening in the brutal heat nothing could have made me happier than encountering an old school Shaved Ice offering on Georgia Ave just south of Upshur. These drinks are of the old school where the ice is shaved and the flavoring is delicious. Think little Italy in the 50s. So the next time it is 105 degrees instead of weeping, like I normally do, head to Georgia Ave and get an ice flavored drink for 2 bucks. And if you thought it couldn’t get any better than that, they have sliced mangoes! Check out all the flavors in the photo below.
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But it is a little off topic of tips for newcomers so I thought I’d start a new thread. So if you have reactions let’s comment here. Thanks.
Here is a segment from an anon. poster:
“I think you’ll find universally that people who are “working class”, regardless of where there from and what shade they are, when they manage to afford a nice home, sometimes after working for many years to do so, they don’t want crime on their backdoor and don’t see these things as “live and let live” issues. While I understand the motives of those engaging in the business of drug dealing in open markets to promote “no snitchin'” and the occasional hostile take-over (in a hail of gunfire), when self-righteous fools tell me I have to suffer this crime to be “class sensitive” you’ll get a good hearty laugh from this piece of white trash. I will agree with you all day long that legalization, just as with liquor, is a better answer. If you want to start a organization to get drugs legalized I’ll gladly give you a portion of the money I send to other non-profit organizations. But I live in reality, and while criminals are engaged in a potentially dangerous trade near my family and my neighbor’s family they are going to be dodging the MPD every time I see them, and if that means you get busted buying your dime bag behind my lot, sorry Charlie.”
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I have recently been contacted by a number of new folks who are moving into the neighborhood. They have requested some tips from me as well as from you guys based on our experiences. So I’ll take first crack then you the readers should post your advice that you wish you had received before moving to the neighborhood.
Back in the day I posted my top 10 reasons I love Petworth. That all still applies. First of all congratulations to you all. You have made a truly smart decision. So my advice to new Petworth residents is as follows:
1. Go to Domku and Temperance Hall. They are fantastic restaurant/bars that are wonderful additions to the neighborhood. Domku located on the 800 block of Upshur is a wonderful place to get brunch, dinner or just a cup of coffee. Domku also offers free Wifi for your internet needs. Also, it now has outdoor seating which is quite pleasant. Temperance Hall is the perfect place to get a bite to eat and a beer after work. The atmosphere is terrific and there are tons of locals who are regulars and the bartenders are the best. Temperance also has a fantastic back deck. It is located on Georgia Ave, just south of the metro, the cross street is Princeton.
2. Introduce yourself to your neighbors on the whole block. People in Petworth are among the nicest I have ever met in my ten years here in DC. It is essential that you integrate into the block. But you have to take the initiative. Don’t simply hide in your homes. Make the effort to say hello to all the new faces you encounter. 9 times out of 10 you will be greeted with kindness and ultimately friendship. The people are by far one of the biggest benefits of the neighborhood. Here in Petworth neighbors gladly and always watch each other’s backs.
3. Take advantage of our proximity to Columbia Heights and U Street. Petworth is a wonderful neighborhood but it is still developing. You are not going to find every store that you desire. Columbia Heights has the terrific Giant supermarket on Park Road. I highly recommend it. There is also a terrific coffee shop in Columbia Heights on 11th and Park aptly called Columbia Heights Coffee. Columbia Heights is also home to Wonderland Ballroom on 11th and Kenyon which is one of the greatest bars in the city with an outdoor beer garden. Of course everyone knows the Target and other development is coming to CH. So take advantage of it.
4. Realize that you are not moving to Cleveland Park or Georgetown. And for the most part that is a good thing. But there are also some negative aspects. One, which I often complain about, is the garbage. You are going to encounter garbage on the streets. This will not change. But you can do something about it. Always keep the area in front of your house clean. If it means picking up garbage every morning, then pick up garbage every morning. If many people do this we will make a dent.
5. Get to know your local ANC representative. 9 times out of 10 they are fantastic. Talk to them about your neighborhood questions and concerns. They are very responsive.
6. Crime exists but it is not as bad as the press makes it seem. Everyone has there own comfort level. You will learn yours based on your own experiences and your own walks around the neighborhood. Certain crime issues affect people differently depending upon what block they live on. There is drug dealing in Petworth. But for the most part, this will not affect you. If you see it happening call 311 and register a complaint with the police. Occasional there is violence between gangs especially in the Summer. But this usually occurs late at night. So my advice to folks is don’t walk around the neighborhood after midnight. Obviously, you all will have your own comfort level. Personally, I don’t walk home from the metro after 10 pm during the week. I know folks who don’t walk home after 8 pm but I also know folks who walk home at all hours of the night without incident. So you’ll have determine your own comfort level. But again, if you encounter issues don’t hesitate to call 311 or 911 in an emergency. By in large I think crime is a far bigger problem in Adams Morgan than it is in Petworth.
7. Plant flowers in front of your house. It adds to the overall beauty of the neighborhood and as you are working outside you’ll have more opportunities to meet your neighbors.
8. Try all the new local businesses as they open. Lots of development is coming to Petworth. We have had to new Latino restaurants open: El Limeno and El Torgoroz. Check em out, they are delicious. El Limeno is on Upshur across from another local bar called the Hitching Post across from the Old Soldiers home. El Torgoroz is around the corner from Domku. I’ll be updating you with new ones as they open.
9. Some days are better than others. Realize that some days you will encounter lots of garbage, lots of kids yelling, and maybe read about some crime. Other days, you will see beautiful flowers, talk to interesting neighbors, and have a great drink at one of the local haunts. Not every day is the same. Remember the positive and don’t stew on the negative ones.
10. Send me your tips and questions. I am constantly updating PoP and your experiences are helpful to others. So share them with me. Please. Don’t hesitate to contact me with specific questions at [email protected].
So now it is your turn. What advice do you have about living in Petworth? What have I left out? Flip it bakery? Colorado Kitchen?